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In case you don’t know, I have been regularly compiling lists of books coming out every month this year.
This article is being written in January, but I’ve already posted about the best new books coming out in January, February, March, and April, so be sure to check those out.
I know book clubs are always looking for the best new releases, and if you’ve been wondering what books your book club should read, this is the article for you.
In this post, I’ve compiled some of my most anticipated books that I believe cover topics perfect for book club discussions.
When selecting a book club read, you want one that will interest your members and encourage participation and these books do just that.
To make it even easier, I’ve listed the key topics each book explores so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect before you start reading.
I’m especially excited about this post and 2025 in general because we’re getting so many amazing books from debut authors as well as established ones.
So, pick up one or two books from this list and add them to your book club’s roster for 2025.
1. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This novel is a heartfelt look at four women, each facing personal challenges and reflecting on their pasts.
Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer in America, wrestles with regret, while her best friend Zikora deals with betrayal.
Meanwhile, Omelogor, a powerful woman in Nigeria, questions who she really is, and Kadiatou, a mother in America, faces heartbreaking struggles.
It’s a beautiful exploration of love, regret, and self-discovery that I’m sure will make you think about the choices we make and how they shape our lives.
Topics: Love, betrayal, self-identity, family, forgiveness, emotional growth, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. Out of Air by Rachel Reiss

Phoebe and her friends find themselves underwater on a summer dive trip, only to discover an ancient sea cave with a dark secret.
After diving in, they undergo strange transformations and are pursued by treasure hunters.
Phoebe will do anything to protect her friends, but what if the biggest danger is herself?
This book sounds so intense, and I think the mystery and suspense will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
Topics: Friendship, transformation, survival, loyalty, fear, and personal responsibility.
3. Swept Away by Beth O’Leary

When Zeke and Lexi find themselves lost at sea after a one-night stand, they’re stuck together with nothing but a boat and a lot of time.
As they struggle to survive, they find themselves falling for each other.
I can’t wait to see how their relationship grows in such an unusual and emotional situation – this one sounds like a fun, heartwarming adventure.
Topics: Love, self-discovery, survival, relationships, second chances, communication, and vulnerability.
4. Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith

The Endicott siblings are reunited after years apart and now forced to confront their past and the secrets one of them has been hiding.
This book promises to be an emotional ride about family, love, and forgiveness.
I love that it’s about reconnecting and discovering hidden truths, because those are always the stories that hit close to home.
Topics: Family, forgiveness, personal growth, second chances, secrets, and the impact of the past on the present.
5. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

This one is all about love, family, and the little awkward moments that make life so relatable.
Gail Baines, the mother of the bride, is dealing with a job loss, an unexpected visit from her ex-husband, and a family secret that threatens to unravel her daughter’s wedding.
With humor and emotional depth, this novel is bound to leave you reflecting on family ties and the complexities of love.
Topics: Family, love, marriage, self-identity, communication, and personal challenges.
6. Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

Junie must face her sister’s ghost and a decision that could change everything.
Set during the Civil War, this book deals with love, power, and the struggle for freedom.
It sounds so powerful, and I’m really looking forward to how Junie’s journey unfolds as she challenges everything she’s known.
Topics: Slavery, family, love, liberation, grief, historical injustice, and empowerment.
7. Isola by Allegra Goodman

A historical story set in the 1500s, Isola follows Marguerite, who is orphaned and trapped on an island with her guardian’s servant after a forbidden relationship is discovered.
As she learns to survive in the wild, she discovers a deeper connection with herself and the world.
If you love historical fiction with elements of survival and self-discovery, this one will surely captivate you.
Topics: Survival, love, faith, self-discovery, social class, and resilience.
8. The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei

A woman named Marguerite finds herself stuck on an island after a forbidden romance leads to disaster.
I love that it’s inspired by a real historical figure.
Those kinds of stories are always so inspiring and full of raw emotion.
Topics: Love, liberation, family, grief, social injustice, and identity.
9. What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

Kyle McCray returns to his hometown to help his father, only to find his past waiting to be reckoned with.
As he tries to heal old wounds, he’s given a chance at redemption through coaching a middle school hockey team.
This sounds like a beautiful story about second chances, family, and love.
I love that it digs into relationships and how we can heal together.
Topics: Family, forgiveness, second chances, personal growth, marriage, and community.
10. Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld

In this collection of short stories, Curtis Sittenfeld explores marriage, friendship, and fame.
From a woman reconnecting with old friends to a glimpse into a beloved character from her novel Prep, Sittenfeld’s writing is always witty and insightful.
I think this will be a fantastic read, full of sharp observations and heartwarming moments.
Topics: Love, friendship, artistic ambition, societal expectations, marriage, and personal identity.
11. Fearless and Free by Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker wasn’t just a performer – she was a spy, activist, and all-around legend.
From dazzling Paris in the 1920s to smuggling secrets for the French Resistance and fighting for civil rights, she lived a life most people could only dream of.
In this memoir, built from conversations over 20 years, Baker shares her story with humor, honesty, and zero regrets.
It’s a rare, intimate look at a woman who broke all the rules and made history while doing it.
Topics: Fame, resilience, racial identity, civil rights, celebrity activism, self-discovery, WWII, and personal transformation.
12. The Tell by Amy Griffin

Amy Griffin spent her life running – from her past, her emotions, and even herself.
But when her daughter asks a simple question, everything unravels.
This raw, powerful memoir follows Amy as she confronts long-buried trauma, unpacks perfectionism, and slowly figures out who she really is.
It’s a story about healing, identity, and the terrifying freedom of finally telling the truth.
Topics: Trauma, self-protection, memory, healing, mental health, radical truth-telling, perfectionism, and family relationships.
13. The Favorites by Layne Fargo

Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha were Olympic ice dancing’s golden couple until their partnership crashed and burned in scandal.
Now, ten years later, an explosive documentary threatens to rewrite their story.
Kat, finally ready to tell her side, realizes the truth is messier than anyone knows.
Inspired by Wuthering Heights, this sharp, addictive novel dives into love, obsession, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Topics: Love, obsession, ambition, betrayal, fame, childhood trauma, rivalry, personal legacy, romance, and figure skating.
14. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

Zelu’s stuck – her job’s gone, rejection letters keep piling up, and she’s at a crossroads.
So she does something wild: she writes a sci-fi novel unlike anything she’s ever attempted.
But as her story of AI and androids takes off, her real life starts blurring with fiction in ways she never expected.
This one is a bold, thought-provoking novel about identity, storytelling, and the unexpected ways we create (and are created by) the worlds around us.
Topics: Identity, creativity, technology, self-reinvention, fame, sci-fi, personal transformation, and the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality.
15. Everybody Says It’s Everything by Xhenet Aliu

Drita and Pete are twins who grew up totally disconnected from their Albanian roots – one played it safe, the other rebelled.
But when Pete’s girlfriend and baby show up without him, Drita goes looking for her brother and stumbles into a family history she never saw coming.
A moving, character-driven story about identity, belonging, and the complicated ties that hold families together (even when they drive us crazy), this is a must-read you should totally check out.
Topics: Family, identity, sibling relationships, war, heritage, adoption, personal growth, and reconciling the past.
16. Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

Madeline Hill’s quiet farm life is upended when her long-lost half-brother, Reuben, shows up with a wild idea: track down their missing father and all the forgotten siblings he left behind.
Their road trip is chaotic, hilarious, and full of surprises, forcing them to rethink what family really means.
With Wilson’s signature humor and heart, this quirky, touching novel proves that sometimes, home is the people you never saw coming.
Topics: Family, estrangement, self-discovery, sibling relationships, road trip, personal transformation, and hope.
17. Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives

After failing the goddess Proserpina, Thelia is cursed as a siren, trapped on an island until she washes up in Roanoke and reinvents herself as a princess.
Her mission? Take revenge on the men who think they own the world.
But when the ghosts of her past start closing in, she realizes power always comes at a cost.
A dark, feminist fantasy blending mythology and history, Those Fatal Flowers is full of rage, magic, and the kind of love that can either save you or destroy you.
Topics: Love, revenge, mythology, female empowerment, rage, freedom, identity, self-determination, and sisterhood.
18. The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

Four strangers, each drowning in their own grief, join an experimental therapy group mostly because they’ve got nothing left to lose.
As they open up, they find unexpected friendships, maybe even love.
But when a shocking secret about the group comes to light, they have to decide: walk away or face the truth together?
This is a heartfelt, hopeful novel about loss, love, and how healing never looks the way you expect.
Topics: Grief, healing, friendship, personal growth, emotional vulnerability, self-discovery, love, therapy, and overcoming trauma.
19. The Bombshell by Darrow Farr

Seventeen-year-old Severine Guimard is kidnapped by Corsican militants and instead of fighting back, she listens.
What starts as survival turns into something deeper, and soon, she’s not just their hostage – she’s part of the revolution. But how far is she willing to go?
A gripping, provocative story about youth, radicalization, and the fine line between rebellion and recklessness, this is one of those books everyone should totally read.
Topics: Political awakening, revolution, youth, love, passion, freedom, idealism, celebrity, radicalism, seduction, and first love.
20. Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild

Honor has everything – a loving daughter and husband, even if he’s always working.
But when she wants another baby, everything gets turned upside down.
A shocking event changes their lives, and years later, her husband makes a decision that has lasting consequences for their family.
The story follows two women whose lives are forever changed as they confront love, secrets, and the past.
It’s a story about love, regret, and how our choices affect those we care about.
Topics: Family secrets, love, guilt, redemption, grief, and personal transformation.
21. This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer

Abe and Jane have shared a beautiful, complex love story over fifty years, filled with ups and downs.
From their time as starry-eyed young lovers in Central Park to their struggles as parents and artists, their journey is one of deep connection.
But now, with Jane dying, Abe reflects on their shared past and the parts they didn’t always want to face.
This book is a tender story about love, art, and the complicated sacrifices that come with both.
Topics: Love, loss, art as self-expression, family dynamics, and the sacrifices made for passion.
22. Sleep by Honor Jones

Margaret had a happy childhood, but as she grew up, things changed in ways she couldn’t quite understand.
Now, years later and divorced, she brings her own daughters back to the home where she grew up, and memories from her past begin to resurface.
This heartwarming, yet poignant story explores motherhood, the weight of secrets, and how we must come to terms with our past in order to shape our future.
Topics: Motherhood, generational trauma, secrets, personal identity, family dynamics, and psychological struggles.
23. We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carr

Kareela is struggling with her pregnancy and identity, as she’s caught between two cultures and trying to find where she belongs.
Her family carries deep secrets and traumas, including the tragic death of her brother, which have shaped their lives.
As Kareela comes to terms with her future and the mysteries of her family’s past, this story unfolds in the most fantastic way.
Topics: Race, motherhood, grief, historical trauma, identity, and family legacy.
24. Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathian

Sanjana is trying to move on after walking out on her husband, but things get complicated when he goes missing, and women start calling her about pregnancy advice.
This darkly funny novel is about the pressure to have children and the choices that come with it.
It’s a wild ride about identity, relationships, and how life can change in unexpected ways.
Topics: Feminism, societal pressures, identity, motherhood, ambition, modern life challenges.
25. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera Wong, the lovable meddler from Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, is back.
This time, she’s investigating the mysterious death of an influencer, and of course, she’s on the case to help her future daughter-in-law.
With her usual quirky charm, Vera is determined to find answers in her own unique way.
This one is a fun, heartwarming mystery about family, love, and a little bit of snooping.
Topics: Family, justice, belonging, identity, the search for truth, and unconventional relationships.
26. Going Home by Tom Lamont

Téo returns to his childhood home in north London to visit his father, Vic, and he’s reminded of the past he thought he’d left behind.
The people in his life – his father, his best friend, and the woman he’s always loved – are all trying to figure out what their futures hold.
This story about family, love, and second chances is full of complex emotions and the messy but beautiful relationships that make life meaningful.
Topics: Family dynamics, love, loss, adulthood, and the search for connection.
27. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Alice returns to a cottage by the lake for a summer with her grandmother and finds herself reconnecting with Charlie, a man from her past.
This sweet, nostalgic romance is about rediscovering yourself, falling in love, and embracing the beauty of second chances.
It’s perfect for anyone who believes that good things can happen at the lake.
Topics: Friendship, love, self-discovery, the passage of time, and how our past influences our future.
28. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Joan Goodwin, a professor of physics, always dreamed of going to space.
When she gets the chance to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s, her life takes a thrilling turn.
As she trains with fellow astronauts, she discovers more about herself and the universe than she ever imagined.
This story is a beautiful mix of love, ambition, and the feeling of reaching for the stars.
Topics: Ambition, love, sacrifice, and the desire to reach beyond oneself.
29. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Alice Law is determined to become one of the greatest magicians, but when her professor dies, she’s forced to journey into Hell to save his soul and maybe her own future.
Alongside her rival, Peter, she faces the challenges of the underworld while confronting her own past.
This dark academia fantasy is filled with magic, rivalry, and the bonds that can be formed in the most unlikely of places.
Topics: Friendship, ambition, morality, rivalry, and self-discovery.
30. The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei

Genevieve Yang was an only child until her unexpected sister, Arin, came into her life.
Together, they tried to manage the intense pressure to succeed in Singapore, but a betrayal tore them apart.
Now, Genevieve must grapple with her ambition, family bonds, and the value of love in this emotional debut about the ties that bind us, even when life pushes us apart.
Topics: Family bonds, ambition, sibling relationships, and the tension between personal and familial expectations.
The books on this list are packed with powerful themes, and I hope they lead to some fantastic discussions in your club.
For more book club suggestions, don’t forget to check out my other posts on great reads for book clubs that aren’t too short.
And if you have a book recommendation that your club loved, share it in the comments.
I’d love to hear what’s on your reading list.